Special Use Permits

Special Use Permits are required if special use items are desired for your group's picnic. Special Use Permits can be issued in person or by mail. Picnics requiring Special Use Permits must obtain their permits in person.

Special Use Items

Picnics planning to have the following items require a Special Use Permit in addition to a Picnic Permit:

• amplified equipment
• beer truck
• canopy tent
• caterer
• dunk tank
• generator
• ice cream truck
• kiddie rides
• moonwalk
• overflow parking
• petting zoo
• pony rides
• port-o-lets
• port-o-sinks
• or other special use items

Fees and Insurance Requirements

A $20.00 fee, plus a $10.00 fee per item listed on the special use permit are required at the time of application.

In order to protect the Forest Preserve District of Cook County from liability arising out of the activities permitted as Special Use, the District has found it necessary to require that all individuals, groups and organizations, desiring to utilize District lands and/or facilities for any uses requiring a Special Use Permit must first obtain a certificate of insurance, verifying comprehensive general liability insurance. General liability coverage must be in effect as of the date of the event idemnifying the District in limits of not less that $1,000,000.00, combined single limit. Also, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County must be named as “Additional Insured” on the certificate.

Special Use Permit Application

Special Use Permit Application Download Download the application above in Adobe® Acrobat™ PDF format. Please print and fill out the online application and mail or bring it with you to one of the facilities listed below, along with your fee.

Requirements for Special Use Permits

1. Copy of your picnic permit.
   
   
2. A completed Special Use Permit Application.
   
   
3. A copy of the contract/receipt and insurance certificate for each Special Use item that will be provided by an outside company at your picnic.
   
   
4. A certificate of general liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000.00, naming the Forest Preserve District of Cook County as additional insured. (if the insurance will not be provided by the company providing the Special Use item).
   
   
5. The Special Use Permit fee of $20.00 application fee and $10.00 per item listed on the permit, payable by cash, check (made out to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County), Visa or MasterCard. Note: Vending Permit fee is pending.
   
   

Due Dates

All requirements for your Special Use Permit (application, fee, insurance, contracts and copy of your request) must be completed and submitted either in person, by fax or mail. No incomplete requrests will be accepted. Requirements must be submitted within:

• Category W - Five business days prior to your picnic/event date
• Category X - 14 business days prior to your picnic permitted date
• Category Y - To be determined at the time of application
• Category Z - To be determined at the time of application

Locations

Permits are available at the following location:

• The Forest Preserve District of Cook County General Headquarters
  536 North Harlem Avenue
  River Forest, IL 60305
  Recreation Department
  Hours: 9am to 4pm, Monday through Friday
  
  
  

The following suggestions are provided to assist you in obtaining the necessary insurance certificate:

1. Please provide the name and contract/receipt of the company providing your Special Use request. If the company has an insurance certificate on file with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, you may not need to do anything further.
   
   
2. If your organization has commercial or comprehensive general liability insurance, your agent should be able to provide you with the required certificate of insurance.
   
   
3. If your group is a family or an organization without insurance coverage, you (the picnic chairman), could provide these instructions to your homeowner’s insurance agent. Many times, your homeowner’s insurance carrier will provide the required coverage as an endorsement to your existing policy and issue the certificate. Be persistent. If your agent does not know how to handle this, ask to speak to an underwriter at the insurance company’s office.
   
   
4. If you cannot obtain the certificate from your homeowner’s insurance carrier or you don’t own a home, you may have to purchase a “Special Events” insurance policy through your agent or an insurance broker. The cost will depend upon the nature of your group, the activities planned and the company’s evaluation of the risk.

As soon as satisfactory written proof of insurance showing the required coverage, a copy of your picnic permit, and a fee is received, the District will process your request. Again, please note that the certificate must specifically name the “Forest Preserve District of Cook County as Additional Insured”.

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